The Los Angeles Angels will have one less player to worry about come arbitration hearing time.  They have signed Jerome Williams to a one-year deal so the team and the pitcher will avoid arbitration this year.  Four other Angels' players filed for salary arbitration yesterday.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times says the one-year deal between the Angels and Williams is worth $2 million.  He says Williams will be pitching out of the bullpen as a long reliever for the most part, but Williams can also make some spot starts in case of injuries to the Angels' starting rotation.


Williams made $820,000 in 2012, so he is getting a nice raise from the Angels.  He likely would have received something similar if he had gone through the arbitration process.  Williams still has one more year of arbitration eligibility before he becomes a free agent.

The 31-year old lefty went 6-8 last season with a 4.58 ERA.  He appeared in 32 games.  In his career, Williams has pitched for four different teams and has compiled a career 4.29 ERA.  He has proven to be a useful commodity when teams are in need of an emergency starter.  Williams has made 92 starts in his career.

Aside from a brief stint in the hospital last season because of shortness of breath, Williams was injury-free.  This will be important going forward as he will want more responsibility and more innings.
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